Your life in Essex County, Virginia

What stands out

What stands out about Essex County: the average commute is in the top 4% of American counties (32 minutes), the home price against local income is in the top 12% of American counties (3.5 years of income), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 12% of American counties (1.2 per 1,000). Within Virginia it ranks 7th of 49 counties for the average commute.

Where you are

You live in Essex County, Virginia. 10,602 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +35).

Virginia has a graduated income tax with a 5.75% top rate that begins at just $17,000 of income, so most residents pay near the top rate. It does not tax Social Security and allows an age deduction of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and over. Northern Virginia's federal and defense economy produces incomes closer to the Washington suburbs of Maryland than to the rest of the state. Localities levy annual property tax on vehicles.

Money

The typical household here brings in $52,335 a year, lower than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,848. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 51% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 32 minutes each way.

Virginia takes 5.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,752 a year.

Home

The median home costs $300K, pricier than 69% of American counties, about 3.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $885 a month. Property tax is 0.64% of home value, roughly $1,377 a year on that median home, lower than 73% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.8 years, shorter than 72% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 14.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.34 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 87% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 4 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Virginia law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 58°F, highs near 68 and lows near 48, warmer than 60% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 146 Mbps down, slower than 73% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Virginia tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.